Ag commissioner has good stance

Selfridge

By ALLEN LUND

The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota applauds North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson for his stance on allowing the testing of all export animal products for BSE.

In an article in the Bismarck Tribune on June 4, Johnson stated: "I am not surprised South Korea is holding off on allowing U.S. beef into that country after protests by people worried about mad cow disease. We've really shot ourselves in the foot big time over these last four or five years."

I would like to see South Korea fully open up their borders to U.S. beef products. At the same time, I respect the South Korean Government for listening to their consumers wishes. I don't believe we would be having this problem now if the USDA had allowed U.S. packing plants such as Creekstone to voluntarily test for BSE and if Country of Origin Labeling had been in place. If the USDA starts operating in the best interests of the U.S. cattle industry instead of taking orders from a few of the nations giant meat-packing corporations, I believe we can work out a solution that is acceptable to both countries.